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The University in the Knowledge Society: a Neo-Institutionalist Approach to the ‘Idea’ of the University

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The University in the Knowledge Society: a Neo-Institutionalist Approach to the ‘Idea’ of the University The University in the Knowledge Society: A Neo-Institutionalist Approach to the ‘Idea’ of the University Mr. Mujadad Zaman ST EDMUND’S COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE OCTOBER, 2018 This dissertation is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy THE UNIVERSITY IN THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY: A NEO-INSTITUTIONALIST APPROACH TO THE ‘IDEA’ OF THE UNIVERSITY Mr. Mujadad Zaman ST EDMUND’S COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE This thesis is an investigation into fundamental questions concerning the aims, purpose and goals of the university within the emerging 21st Century post-industrial, Knowledge Society (KS). Inquiries of this nature are often referred to as the ‘idea’ of the university and whilst a growing academic literature questions what an ‘idea’ for the institution may look like in light of the arguably unique context of the Knowledge Society, it has yet to be fully addressed. In order to do so, this thesis is methodologically framed by the sociological school of neo-institutionalism. This is a perspective within institutional theory which views institutions as not passive recipients of social values but able to dictate their own ideals upon society. The university in this view becomes a ‘primary institution’ capable to imprint its values upon the KS and thus giving it a prominent role in that society. In order to articulate an ‘idea’ of the university, the thesis begins with a critical review of the literature, specifically the manner in which university-KS relations are conceived. This concludes with a summative statement about such relations in the form of the ‘problem of knowledge’ i.e. an attitude which increasingly reduces knowledge in the university to means-end and economic propositions. An alternative conceptualisation is proposed which offers an optimistic approach to the university in the KS, one conceived through presumptions by the neo-institutionalist school and coined ‘Knowledge Plasticity’. As there are no formal methods for creating an ‘idea’, the second part of the thesis undertakes an extensive review of seminal works in the field revealing three conditions to which such proposals generally conform. Taken together, these conditions serve as the methodological frame for creating an ‘idea’ for the university. The first of these, contextual clarity, having been achieved through the literature review, moves to the second condition, theoretical development, and entails an exploration of Knowledge Plasticity. This investigation reveals a ‘tension of imbalance’ within this concept which the ‘idea’ of the university must resolve, this being the final condition of the ‘idea’. In order to do this, the ‘University of Imagination’ is identified as the ‘idea’ whose purpose is to bring about dynamic balance within the institution. Finally, the proposed University of Imagination is compared with the classical Liberal university suggesting a more effective means for the liberal ‘idea’ to become realised in the KS namely, through engaging with the former. As a philosophical contribution to the literature, the University of Imagination encourages us to be optimistic and emboldened by the project of education and offers a path to navigate the challenges and uncertainties facing the university in the 21st Century. Key Terms: University, Knowledge, Knowledge Society, Neo-Institutionalism, Idea of the University, University of Imagination ! 2 ! 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Acknowledgements demand a many and varied labour: partly an exercise in gratitude, a prompt towards selflessness as well as a call to self-reflection. In each such case I can only hope not to fall short of the charge placed before me. The people whose names given here, however faint their impression upon the text of this thesis, have helped shepherd, in often indistinct and subtle ways, my project and whose burden of debt I now come to resolve. A prophetic tradition says that the best of labours from the children of Adam are those carried forth from their own hands. These brief notes of thanks are then only a demure rendering of sentiment to those hands which were joined with mine in good wishes and prayer to help see this endeavour realised. Firstly, to the late Dr. Rob Moore, my supervisor and mentor, whose blazing mind and passion for knowledge contagiously spread to wherever and whomever he met. Tragically passing and leaving a great gap in the intellectual community, this thesis was possible due to his support and belief in me. There is no student without his teacher and I am ever indebted for the lessons I was blessed to receive at the hands of this great scholar. To dear Prof. Susan Robertson for showing me that the light at the end of this journey was closer than I thought it could be. Your scholarship, wisdom and warmth set the barometer high for any wishing to follow your footsteps and it was a true honour to be supervised by you. I am ever in your debt for helping me see this thesis to its completion. To my teachers. Firstly, to the brilliant Prof. Tim Winter, perhaps the greatest draw in attending Cambridge, your equanimity, scholarship and life remain a paragon for so many of us especially, to those wishing to see what can be achieved in the hallowed halls of the modern university. Paul Ahmed Keeler and Dr. Annabel Keeler, much of what is best in this thesis is directly correlated to our Sunday morning discussions. To Prof. John Marenbon, Dr. John Beck, Prof. Geoff Hayward, and the late Sir Jack Goody for your scholarly insight and patience and in showing me what a ‘liberal’ education can look like. Prof. Lejla Demiri, who has opened so many doors for me, intellectually and otherwise. She is a reflection of her teacher in her humility, knowledge and brilliance. To the Harry Desai Foundation for their generous support, Dr. Michele Gemelos and St. Edmund’s College for their assistance throughout my PhD. To Emma Rixon for being a model administrator and always having the time and answers for nervous graduate students. To Prof. David Berry and Prof. Ron Barnett I am greatly honoured that you both made time to examine this thesis and grateful for your clarifications and valuable feedback. To my family. To my dearest mother, Nargis Zaman. There is little recompense for the love, empathy and succour for which I have been the undeserving recipient. This thesis, and any good which may come forth from it, is the spring of her abiding care for her children and family. To my beloved brothers Adnan and Imran Zaman for their counsel, support and encouragement throughout my life. To my sister, Eliza Zaman, my dear friend, for her love and support which remains a cherished gift for me and us all. Someone who always thinks of others first, she is my inspiration, example and pillar. Asafa Zaman and Fatima Zaman for providing rays of goodness into all of our lives. To Yaseen, Ameila, Zinedine, Medina, Maryam, Safiya and Salma for their purity and levity of spirit so needed during the hard labours of research. To my beloved Amiji and Abuji (Dr. Samia Nawaz and Dr. Dilsher Nawaz), your gathered wisdom, natural nobility and belief in this endeavour have sustained me throughout the years. My dear sisters Ayesha ! 4 Nawaz and Dr. Fatima Nawaz your humility, good sense and probity have been the fixed stars in our lives and continue to be my examples. Dawud Wharnsby and Fahad Tahir, whose presence in my life adorns the thoughts and ideas made possible by their goodly countenance and generosity. To my grandparents Amajaan and Papojar for their prayers, love and support. To my friends. Taj Ahmed, Rizwhan Rahman, Annis Araim and Abbas Yunis you remain my mentors, each of you reflecting a varying shade of knowledge, wisdom and goodness towards my life. To Dr. Samir Mahmoud, Dr. Harith ibn Ramli and Adeel Khan, ‘The Clowns Crew’, you will always be a great fount for my work and I remain beholden to the debt of fruitful, coffee filled, hours spent in your company. To my dear colleagues and friends at the University of Tuebingen: Dr. Bilal Badat, Dr. David Scotto, Selva Yildirim, Dr. Samer Rashwani, Dr. Mahmoud Abdallah as well as Dr. Mehmetcan Akpınar and Dr. Fatih Ermiş for our ‘Gulshan Group’, your understanding and support are gifts which carry far beyond this project. To Dr. Shahid Hanif and Aiysha Malik, Dr. Ausaf Farooqi and Dr. Mohini Ver, Dr. James Aziz Brown and Karima Sbitri, Dr. Isam Faik and Sarah Elgezzar, Dr. Mohsin Badat and Nora Outaleb, Dr. Muhammad Irfan and Sharmeen Irfan, Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui, Saba Araim, Dr. Barbara Cottman and Nabila, Safiyya, Yusuf and Idris Winter for all making Cambridge the blessed experience it was. This thesis is also a dedication to the memories of those dear family members who were not able to see this day come to pass and yet in one way or another were part of this endeavour. My special gratitude is to Brig. Qazi Muhammad Nawaz, Dr. Qamar Ud-Din, Phupaji (Malik Saab), Safdar Khan and Mobeen Khan. To my dearest wife, Dr. Amina Nawaz. This PhD sees its completion in the 10th year of our blessed marriage. An example of compassion, mercy, humility and love in my own home and on a daily basis, your support is the lodestar for my endeavours. Touching the hearts of all you meet, you have changed me so, such that I come to see my work, the world and life in the ceaseless brilliance of limitless possibility. Your intelligence, scholarship and advice are simply indispensable for this and anything that I do in life. For in the process of the PhD, the substance of the labour required at times carving, yet at other sanding and still at others polishing of the material, and you were there for all, guiding my hand, thoughts and much more.
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